First Patient Treated at New Cataracts Service at Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre

The first patient has been treated by the new cataract service at the Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre. The service means that patients - who are almost always older people - will, for the first time, have the option to be treated in Medway if they wish.

Eric Baker, 73, was one of the first patients to experience the new facilities on 22nd April. He said, “The staff at the Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre deserve a gold medal; from the moment I arrived at reception any apprehension that I had about the surgery just disappeared, and this was all down to the exemplary care I received.”

Grant Rex, Managing Director of Care UK Secondary Care Services said: “We are delighted that this service has now begun treating patients and that Mr Baker had such a positive experience at the centre. Care UK is proud of the track record we have achieved with the Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre since we opened in 2005, with 98% of our patients rating their care as good or excellent, and we look forward to providing similarly high levels of care for cataracts patients at the Centre.”

NHS Medway Chief Executive Marion Dinwoodie said: "We are very pleased that the first patients are now being treated by this new service, which will enable people to be treated for their cataracts closer to home. This service is part of our drive to improve health and healthcare for people in Medway, and ensure that people get high quality, convenient care that meets their needs."

The Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre only treats NHS patients. As well as the new cataract service, the centre also includes consulting rooms, operating theatres, and a day case unit. The cataract unit is being funded as part of the centre’s overall contract with NHS Medway